The Smithsonian Enterprise Restoration Video

The Smithsonian released this awesome video of the restoration of the USS Enterprise filming miniature.  OK, not so miniature!  But a must watch!
 

This is a short film showing the process of the detail paint work on the restoration of original U.S.S. Enterprise miniature. The work was done between the 11th and the 23rd of April 2016 at the Smithsonian’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy facility. The model is now on display at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C.

Enjoy!

Alec

TOS Mid-Grade Phaser

A guest blog by Gerald Gurian

This exceptionally rare Star Trek: The Original Series fiberglass mid-grade Phaser Pistol is one of only two such examples known to have survived from the '60s; and it has been exhaustively researched and precisely screen matched to the mid-grade phaser prop featured in an opening scene in the 2nd season TOS episode "Assignment: Earth", where it is seen in a close-up view on-screen in the hand of a security officer in the Transporter Room.  Most significantly, it is the presence of both a uniquely contoured scratch line and a small blemish formed by excess paint - both on the front face of the pistol body - as well as perfectly matching orientations of the attached silver nozzle ring and the right-angled metal plate on top that have enabled this particular prop to be positively identified on-screen in that memorable time-travel episode, which originally was broadcast on Mar. 29, 1968.  

Furthermore, it is very likely that this historic hand prop, as part of the Desilu and then Paramount inventory, was utilized in the filming of several other TOS episodes during the 2nd and 3rd seasons of the series, in addition to "Assignment: Earth".

 

In the following five composite images containing Original Series screen captures shown side-by-side with modern day photos of this fiberglass Phaser Pistol, please note the matching overall contours and matching designs of the major hand phaser and pistol body components that are seen from multiple camera angles -- in addition to the numerous very subtle contour matches specifically mentioned in the annotations.     The following image demonstrates the precise screen match of this unique prop to the episode "Assignment: Earth".

A key aspect in the authentication of this phaser was the identification of a tiny mold flaw / accent line defect in its rear body fin appearance which is a perfect match to a mold flaw observed on a different phaser seen in a close-up screen capture from the Original Series episode "Spock's Brain".   In the following image, note how the width of the highlighted white band on the phasers suddenly narrows at the end due to the little flaw / deviation of the grey ridge line that runs along its bottom border.  The different orientations of the grooved regions on the silver noozles attached to the front of the pistol bodies establishes that the two phasers seen below are in fact two different hand props and not the same piece.

The presence of several very subtle contour line matches and tiny geometry matches between this unique phaser and the examples observed on-screen in different Original Series episodes, as illustrated in the photos below, are additional highly compelling factors in the authentication analyses.

As well, the uniquely patterned silver foil material on top of the permanently affixed hand phaser unit has been photo matched to the foil on the Greg Jein TOS Hero Type II Phaser, and this vintage material match is another key element of authentication.

Additionally, high resolution photography of the velcro on the hand phaser has revealed some gold, blue and red TOS velour Starfleet tunic fabric traces still trapped in the velcro - exciting remnants from production on the Desilu soundstage 47 years ago!

This extremely rare Original Series hand prop bears the to-be-anticipated paint wear, surface scratches and some cracks/seam separation in its fiberglass pistol body; and it is missing the semi-circular acrylic dial and metal faux thumbwheel control that were once attached to the top of its hand phaser -- yet it remains an undeniably visually exciting, sturdily-constructed and highly presentable piece of Star Trek history. The only movable part on this weapon is the tiny circular silver control knob inset on the front left side of the pistol body which still smoothly rotates a full 360 degrees.

 

Thanks to Gerald Gurian, the owner, for writing this blog!

Star Trek TOS "Squire of Gothos" costume

This costume was one of 2 known examples worn by actor William Campbell as Trelane in the 1st Season TOS episode "The Squire of Gothos" (original airdate: Jan. 12, 1967). In 2013 I acquired two copies of this costume, giving one to the CBS Star Trek Archive.  There is an unconfirmed rumor that there is a third copy that William Campbell himself owned.

My good friend Gerald Gurian, took these photos last year when I displayed these costumes at the Creation Star Trek Las Vegas Convention.  I am a firm believer in displaying my collection for all to see.  Sharing my and other collections through this blog is part of the joy I get from collecting. 

Thanks to Gerald for the photos!

Alec

TOS Phaser in Propworx Auction

An exceptionally rare screen-used fiberglass Phaser pistol from Star Trek: The Original Series, and one of only two such examples that is known to have survived from the ’60s. This incredible piece of television history has been exhaustively researched and precisely screen matched to the mid-grade phaser prop featured in an opening scene in the 2nd season TOS episode “Assignment: Earth”, where it is seen in a close-up view on-screen in the hand of a security officer in the Transporter Room. Most significantly, it is the presence of both a uniquely contoured scratch line and a small blemish formed by excess paint – both on the front face of the pistol body – as well as perfectly matching orientations of the attached silver nozzle ring and the right-angled metal plate on top that have enabled this particular prop to be positively identified on-screen in that memorable time-travel episode, which originally was broadcast on Mar. 29, 1968.

Furthermore, it is extremely likely that this historic hand prop, as part of the Desilu inventory, was utilized in the filming of several other TOS episodes during the 2nd and 3rd seasons of the series, in addition to “Assignment: Earth”. Some other keys aspects in the authentication of this phaser include, very importantly, a match of the uniquely patterned silver foil material on top of its hand phaser to the foil on the Greg Jein TOS Hero Phaser pistol, and the identification of a tiny mold flaw / accent line defect in its rear body fin appearance which is a perfect match to a mold flaw observed on a different phaser seen in a close-up screen capture from the Original Series episode “Spock’s Brain”. Additionally, high resolution photography of the Velcro on the hand phaser has revealed some gold, blue and red TOS velour Starfleet tunic fabric traces still trapped in the Velcro – exciting remnants from production on the Desilu soundstage 49 years ago!

While this hand prop features some paint wear, surface scratches and some seam separation and missing knobs/accent pieces that is typical of rare screen used TOS memorabilia; it is undeniably a visually exciting, sturdily-constructed and highly presentable piece of Star Trek history.

A truly iconic and highly desirable addition to the finest of Star Trek and Hollywood memorabilia collections.

 

 

More information is on the Propworx website: http://www.propworx.com.  You can also find the latest news on the auction and download the February Star Trek Auction IV catalog.  Interested bidders may register to participate in the sale on the LiveAuctioneers.com website: http://www.liveauctioneers.com/catalog/66488_propworx-star-trek-auction-iv/page1
 

TOS Tunics at Profiles - Authenticity and Ethics

Let me start out by saying that I believe the Scotty and Sulu Tunics at tomorrow's Profiles auction are what is claimed.  There is a good deal of circumstantial evidence, even though there is no screen matching.  This is not absolute proof (which is what screen matching is), but the Burden of Proof has been met.  But because one blogger has taken to shouting out his doubts, some people are asking me what I think.  So here it is, all laid out.

I AM NOT AN EXPERT

I am not an expert on TOS costumes.  In fact I never hold myself out as an expert on Star Trek.  I write a lot about it.  I have handled a ton of the stuff.  But that doesn't make me an expert.  But I know who all the experts are, and when people come to me, I go to those experts.  

I have owned three, including the Kirk tunic sold last year by Profiles and have handled more than most people. I have researched them more than any other blogger save Gerald Gurian, and I know every top expert on TOS costumes. I spoke to

TOS COSTUME EXPERTS

Here are the TOS Costume experts I know of.

Rob Klein (probably the # 1 expert on TOS costumes and owner of a large collection)

Gerald Gurian

James Cawley

Roger Romage

There are collectors such as Owen Riley who is very well educated on the subject, and of course Greg Jein has the biggest collection of TOS costumes, but frankly he doesn't hold himself out as an expert and doesn't authenticate anything.

THE TUNICS ARE MOST LIKELY WHAT PROFILES CLAIMS

Now, of those experts listed above. Both Rob Klein and Gerald Gurian think the Sulu and Scotty are what Profiles claims.  In fact, Rob has inside knowledge that Profiles has relied on to authenticate the costumes.  Profiles has sold literally dozens of these costumes and they believe they are the costumes of those characters.  And I inspected the costumes and went over them with Brian Chanes and they have all the markings that Profiles claims they do.  And after talking with Rob, Gerald and Brian, I believe these costumes are what they claim.  I also talked witH james Cawley, who said that the size ofthe Sulu was definitive as Takei was tiny, a 34-36.

CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE

Now, it is circumstantial evidence for sure.  There is sadly no screen match.  And I have told Brian that in the future he should give me and the team a chance to screen match them for him.  

But circumstantial evidence is enough to get a murder conviction, so it is certainly enough here.  Assuming you meet the burden of proof.

THE EVIDENCE - SULU

SULU BRAID -  The Sulu has the correct Lieutenant stripe braid marks left in it.  This doesn't mean that it is Sulu's of course.  

SULU PANTS - The Sulu Tunic came on the same hanger as the Sulu pants out of the studio.  Something you would know if you knew to talk to the guys who found these tunics at the studio.  And as anyone who bid in the It's A Wrap auctions knows, character items were always kept together. 

SIZE - The Sulu tunic is TINY.  George was a 34-36 and this tunic matches.  This is definitive according to Cawley.  And I concur with the logic. 

THE EVIDENCE - SCOTTY

 
SCOTTY BRAID - The Scotty tunic has Lt. Commanders braid marks which makes it certainly Scotty's.  I am only aware of one other instance where someone wore a red tunic with this braid, and that was most logically an actor using Scotty's tunic. The production was cheap and didn't use braid it didn't have to and reused costumes constantly. 

SIZE - The Scotty tunic matches the size for Scotty.  This is not proof, but simply helps add to the circumstantial case. 

BOTH tunics are from one of the premier collectors of TOS and he was the first owner of these out of the studio.  The provenance is solid (though it doesn't determine if they are what is claimed, only that they are authentic TOS costumes)

DON HILLENBRAND

One blogger, Don Hillenbrand has attacked these tunics. Don is the same blogger who:

1) Attacked the TOS Kirk tunic last year despite absolute screen matching and authentication by every major TOS expert in the country.

2)    Attacked the TOS Phaser earlier this year depite a 100% screen match.

And why does he attack items?  Because he doesn't like the seller.  He hates me, so he attacks my Kirk Tunic, He hates Gerald, so he attacks Gerald's Phaser, and he hates Profiles, so he attacks them.  

There is no place for personal vendettas in prop authentication.  Authentication is a scientific process.  It is an emotionless one.  I was the last person to actually believe the TOS Kirk tunic was really Shatner's, until I saw the screen match.

And Don hasn't spoken to ONE expert on TOS costumes.  He thinks he is an absolute expert, so he doesn't do any research with the people who have handled these costumes for decades.

A LETTER FROM PROFILES

 

After reading Don's relentless attacks on his blog, Profiles reached out with this email:

Both the George Takei and James Doohan costumes were part of a long-term collection from an individual who had top access to obtain the best of the best.  As you know from books like Bob Justman and Herb Solow's book, Inside Star Trek, the show was a low-budget series and Desilu was notorious for being cheap.  The production did not create numerous back up costumes, nor were stuntman tunics made.  If a stunt was required, they would use the actor's tunic for the stunt and then return it to the wardrobe rack.  If the crew visited a space station, they did not make 20 new tunics for the background.  Unless a tunic was completely destroyed, the production used every shirt they had available to get the sequences shot. Once a tunic received too much wear after repeated cleanings, the production would relegate old hero wardrobe to background crew members. We have handled many Original Series tunics in the past exhibiting studio repair to small tears indicating their desire to keep them in service as long as possible. Needless to say, today's production practices towards wardrobe are completely different.

The great majority of season one and season two tunics did not have the actor or characters labeled.  A testament to this was the Spock tunic we sold in December, 2012 that was won by the consignor in a 1968 "Star Trek Design a Costume Contest".  This tunic, complete with original braiding and insignia, came with a signed letter from Leonard Nimoy and a signed letter by costumer Bill Theiss, both referring to the recipient winning his "Spock tunic".  This Spock tunic has no interior label, yet remains the best documented Star Trek tunic in existence.  As stated in the catalog descriptions, both the Doohan and Takei tunics exhibit markings of the braiding indicative of their respective ranks. This, in conjunction with the general build of the actor, is the method of identifying the officer's tunics (unless you are lucky enough to screen match a signature marking on a particular garment).

If you have any other questions, feel free to contact me.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend and holiday season.

Sincerely,

Brian Chanes
Profiles in History

Now certainly, Profiles didn't have to explain themselves to someone who didn't even bother to do any research, but they did.  And there rationale is solid.

 

CONCLUSION

I have been very critical of Profiles in the past.  And still there are items that they have been fooled on.  So I always do my own work.  But on these two, I feel very certain that they are what is claimed.  I have talked to the experts, and they feel the tunics are what Profiles claims they are.  

There is no 100% certainty.  The Burden of Proof has been met, but without a proper screen match, you can't be absolutely sure.  So the question is are you, the bidder, OK with the level of confidence the experts have.  If you are, go for it!  If not, let someone else win it.

Star Trek TOS 3D Chess Set Reproduction

I don't write about replicas often, but Roger Romage, a good friend of mine, produces some of the finest Star Trek TOS prop and set dec replicas out there.  Roger's latest project is the original 3D chess set.

From Roger:

So many of you have asked for this over the years and now this fantastic item is brought to you by exclusive agreement with Starfleet R&D East. We are proud to offer these for a fraction of the price of an original set, if you can even find one!

This is a PRE-ORDER item and should be ready to ship within about 3-4 weeks.
 

Particulars:

  Molded from a Pristine Unopened, Unused Sealed Set
  Constructed using State-of-the-Art Molds
  Molded in Color
  Cast in Solid Urethane
  Precision Laser Cut Felt Bottoms
  Expertly Constructed and Finished by a Well Known Prop Maker

These chess pieces were used quite often, in many episodes. You may remember Charlie melting a set with his mind powers.
 

I only have 7 sets available! That is all the mold can handle before it wears out. After these are gone there will be NO MORE! This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, so don't delay, order today!

I am offering them at a special price of $239.99 + $10.00 S&H. 

For more information contact Roger at: trekclassic@hotmail.com.  Roger is a great friend of mine and you can trust him.

Alec

I. Mudd Necklace on eBay

An original necklace from the TOS episode "I, Mudd" has come up for sale on eBay.  These have popped up from time to time and the provenance on this one seems accurate.  I am pretty sure the model maker it came from is Greg Jein.  He has the biggest TOS collection anywhere.

From the eBay Ad:

OK Star Trek Friends, I put this up before and got an avalanche of emails- How did I know this is real, how can I prove it, could they come to my house to see it (not happening), literally global emails. With the additional photos I hope I address any previous questions.

Its history: I am selling this for a friend I worked with at Viacom for Paramount. We developed licensed merchandise for Star Trek, the original series. I was the creative director, she the brand director (business side). As brand director for Star Trek Paramount Pictures Viacom store, was responsible for sourcing items for the store. She worked with a famous Star Trek model maker to create the Star Trek: Original Series and Star Trek: The Next Generation, ships on display. This model maker gave her the necklace as a gift.

The model maker has asked that their name not be mentioned in this auction, and I am honoring that promise. Please do not ask me via email. It was verified authentic to the show, that two of the #118 were made, one lit up, the other did not. The light up one had wires that ran along the chains. If they were not going to light up in a camera shot, they used the one without the wires. This is the one that is for sale.

The suitcase is constructed of wood, lucite and velvet lined. The closure and hinges are metal and I think are brass. Closed the box is 3 3/8" wide by 2 5/8" tall by 1 1/4" deep. The necklace pendant is 2 1/2" wide by 1 1/2" high by 1/2" deep. Total length of necklace is 20" long. It is constructed of plastic, hollow center and hand stenciled. The chain is light weight metal.

Guaranteed authentic, my reputation as an art director with the entertainment industry and feedback on Ebay mean a lot to me. People have asked for a letter of verification, this is the best I can do. It will come with the original box it was shipped in, from 1998. 

I think this is a great piece and worth $ 2-3,000.  If I didn't have a house to buy this week I would be all over it!

Alec